Crime commissioner branded 'ignorant or arrogant'

Police and crime commissioner Anthony Stansfeld has been criticised by concillor Tony Jones

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A Reading borough councillor wonders how many people know about a consultation by the newly-elected police and crime commissioner (PCC).

Anthony Stansfeld, voted into the PCC post last November, has laid out his strategy in a 37-page document and invited comments with a deadline of next Friday, February 8.

But Redlands Labour councillor Tony Jones asks on his blog: “Did you know that the newly elected police and crime commissioner (yes, honestly some people actually voted in the 13.3 per cent turnout last November. Anyone remember his name?) is responsible for producing a Police and Crime Plan for the Thames Valley which covers his term of office until 2017?”

He goes on: “The commissioner says he is ‘keen to hear your views’ – but how many people even know that this consultation is under way or that it ends on Friday 8th February?”

Cllr Jones asks what the commissioner has done to promote the consultation saying: “He has been virtually invisible since his election. Is this what we get for £85k a year?”

And he asks: “Is it arrogance or ignorance that so little has been done – and what if you are not online: do your views matter or do you get left behind?”

Mr Stansfeld – a former West Berkshire Tory councillor – sets out his strategic objectives as to:

- Cut crimes that are of most concern to the public and to protect the most vulnerable members of our communities.

- Increase the visible presence of the police and partners to cut crime and the fear of crime, and reassure communities.

- Protect the public from harm arising from serious organised crime and terrorism.

- Communicate and engage with the public in order to cut crime and the fear of crime, and build trust and confidence with our communities.

- Work with criminal justice partners to reduce crime and support victims and witnesses.

- To ensure policing, community safety and criminal justice services are delivered efficiently and effectively.

Mr Stansfeld responded: “Details of the consultation and the plan have been distributed widely to both the public and to organisations involved in policing and crime and we have received significant feedback so far.”

Details of the consultation were sent to councils, MPs and Community Safety Partnerships encouraging them to submit feedback, promote the plan and also stating hard copies are available on request.

It was sent to members of the Police and Crime Panel, including the representative from Reading Borough Council, and voluntary and community groups, he said.